Parents Fight City for Traffic Light
City says intersection does not have enough traffic to warrant stoplight
Parents say they want a traffic light to slow down speeding cars in their neighborhood.
McKinney parents say the city is standing in the way of safer streets.
They want to add a stoplight to an intersection at Berkshire and Ridge. The speed limit is 30, but residents say speeders drive through the intersection every day.
"They did a traffic study on our street," Dacshia Guatelli said. "On average, about 560 cars come down our street on a day."
Residents said drivers use Berkshire as a shortcut to busier streets.
"We suggested that we get speed bumps or speed cushions," Ben Nelson said. "We were told that they couldn't do that because it would hinder emergency vehicles."
In a statement, Councilman Ray Ricchi said city staff told him there isn't enough traffic to warrant a stoplight.
"If they put a traffic control device that isn't warranted, the city could be liable for an accident in that intersection," Ricchi said in the statement.
Neighbors said they fear for their children's safety as they cross the intersection to get to school. The kids are afraid to use the pedestrian tunnels, the parents said.
Ricchi said he will petition for a traffic light and put it up for a vote at this week's City Council meeting. He will need three more votes for it to pass.
Posted Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 - 2:28 PM CST
